Saulog Festival is back!

By Leo Udtohan 

After three years of cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, folks in Tagbilaran City are celebrating the Saulog Festival again this year. 

After the launching on Thursday, March 16, which coincided with the 458th commemoration of "Sanduguan" of Rajah Si Katuna and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, residents and spectators enjoyed the reenactment and dance highlighting the city’s culture and tradition. 

"And now, we are back to face- to- face activities," said Mayor Jane Yap.  

The last face-to-face Saulog street dancing was in 2019. 

"This is our avenue to promote the tourism industry in Bohol and our beloved city of Tagbilaran," she added. 

She said tourism recovery also translates to economic recovery.

Data from the Tagbilaran's tourism office estimated that 80% of tourist activities in the city were back to normal and that arrivals were still rising.

This year, Saulog will feature concerts, parades, Mutya sa Tagbilaran, sporting events, and religious activities that are expected to return to their pre-pandemic glory. 

"A fitting shout-out to the world that we are resilient, we are moving pn, and we are profoundly grateful to God through Saint Joseph the Worker," said Yap. 

Tagbilaran as a gateway to Bohol offers a wide range of business and investment opportunities.  It is the center of Bohol's education, trade and business, as well as the seat of political power. 

The Saulog Festival will end on May 21.

The highlights of the celebration are the following: 

458th Blood Compact Commemoration Program and Saulog Launching-April 16

Tagbo sa Tagbi/Kumbira sa Tagbilaran (Food Fair)- April 14-May 7

Mutya sa Tagbilaran - April 22, 2023

Himug Huni Interschool Songwriting Competition – April 23, 2023

Saulog Festival King and Queen - April 26, 2023

Saulog Fluvial Procession - April 29, 2023

Saulog Street Dancing Competition and Parade - April 30, 2023 

Maoy sa Mayo Saulog Concert - May 1, 2023

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